I have a blog?

Wait a second. I have a blog? Apparently I completely forgot about it because it's been over 2 months! I think that is just because I have been so busy that there just isn't time for this little release o' mine.

Much has happened. May was great - we were busy with friends, we went to Disneyland over Mother's Day. I just remember being busy busy busy. I turned 32 about a week ago. Yep, 32. Wow. I wouldn't say that's mid-30s yet, but I suppose I'm getting there. That does mean my brother only has 4 1/2 years until he's 40. That will be a big one to rub in.

We're going through a few changes around here. One I can't say yet, the other is that we are moving. Where to? Um, I don't really know! The date is June 29 and it looks pretty solid, so we'll be moving over the 4th of July weekend. We have a couple offers on homes. So while the banks twiddle their thumbs, we need to find some sort of temporary housing. It's interesting to pack when you're not really sure what's going on or what type of house you'll be living. I'm hoping for the house we have an offer on with a basement and pool.

I'm headed to Missouri with the kids in July. Sean and I are also going to Greenville for my 10-year reunion in October, sans kids this time. It should be fun - October's the best month in the Midwest and I'm excited to see my friends!

This is a blog all about nothing. Exciting, I know.

the pillowcase race!

butterflies

Lauren had a fun little party - pillowcase race, bubbles, pinatas - I think the kids had a great time! I made her a butterfly cake and Aileen helped me decorate it - thanks Aileen! Here's a pic of it.

We also did bubbles at night and the flash reflected off the bubbles, so it looks pretty cool! The pillowcase race was fun and there is a video of Lauren blowing out her candles (a bit prematurely).

Lauren girl turns 2!

My baby girl turned 2 on Tuesday! Wow! I can't believe my youngest is 2 already. We had a fun birthday, but her party will actually be tomorrow evening. We're just going to have family and her cousins Katelyn and Emily come over. It will be fun to watch her open presents and get excited about her butterfly cake I'm going to make. Yep, I'm gonna make her a butterfly-shaped cake - it's really cupcakes and cakes, but the pattern looks pretty simple. I'll have to post a picture if it looks good enough!

She also went to BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) for the first time today. She liked it and learned about manna. Grant was excited for her to go. It's exciting for her to be learning about God and the life of Moses, of all things!

a renter's quandry

We rent our home. Today, I'm happy to type something like that. It's not such a good time to own a home in the Phoenix area right now. We sold our beautiful home 2 years ago because of the direction we thought/think the housing market is taking. We were right, BUT we weren't prepared for the owner of our rental home to foreclose on US. Apparently this is happening more and more from the stories I am hearing. It happened to my parents a couple of years ago. They were renting and the owners couldn't make payments and foreclosed on them too. But here, the landlord didn't bother to tell us. I found out on my own. I'm sneaky that way. I also found that 5 of his other properties are also in foreclosure. Excellent. He tells me he's trying to modify the loan, etc, but with so many other properties in foreclosure, I'm guessing that's just not gonna happen.

April 20 is the magic date and we're looking for a place to live now. I'd love to buy and have it over with, but we also don't think it's time yet. We think there's another year to this housing madness in Phoenix. What if the landlord forecloses again? I suppose there's never a sure thing, but it will be frustrating to have to look the house up in the tax records every month to make sure you're not missing anything and have enough time to recup the deposits.

My husband also wants to stay here for as long as possible. It does make sense, no rent, delay moving, harvest the fruits, which are vegetables, of the garden my dad just planted, etc. So, I guess we're waiting for an eviction notice, which terrifies me. We've done nothing wrong and yet we'll get an eviction notice. They give you 2 weeks after that (so I've heard) to move out. Sean wants to see if the bank will rent it to us while they try to sell it. Never heard of that happening, but I suppose it's worth a try.

they moved away.....again

So, my parents officially have no belongings here in Arizona, except us of course. I haven't blogged in awhile, lots of stuff going on. We've had friends visit from Alaska, I was in Denver for a BSF retreat (amazing!!!), and then my brother and 2 of his kids were here for awhile and then helped my parents drive the rest of their belongings to Missouri. They arrived there late last night (early this am, I guess).

I'll just post some pics to fill you in. Some pictures Grant took, so beware.....

Sorry little one

Today was the day. You were due to be born today. I wish I could see your eyes, your smile, your face, hear you cry. God called you to Himself before I had a chance for all of that, but I look forward to the day I will know you better. I don't know what it will be like, but I am ready for it. I am ready to look upon you and see you how God sees you. We were excited for you, little one, and you would've loved to hang out with your brother and sister, and mommy and daddy too. I'm sorry this happened and you were taken away. There is always a place in my heart for you.

I am thinking of you today.